How We Wear Vintage for the Holidays // 1960s

Ah the sixties. It's really a love-hate decade for most. Some adore it in every way; others simply despise it, being blinded by a few of the horrendous revolutions and political events that took place.... and then there are those like me, who only care to take bits and pieces of the decade for fashion inspiration. This was the era for mod shifts, kitten-heels, mini-skirts, cable-knit sweaters, and beehives. I think the best way to wrap up this decade of eccentric fashions in a few keywords would be this: structured, casual, and colorful. Shall we take a look at how to style this era for your holiday excursions? Let's go!

BACK THEN

CLICK EACH IMAGE FOR IT'S SOURCE

I must say that after researching this era further, I couldn't help but be inspired by the incredible variety of styles. From the flared, very structured silhouettes of the early 60s, to the more "anyway the wind blows" styles of the later end when the 70s began to creep in. Oh the 70s... Let's just kinda not really talk about them....

Anyhow! What key elements of the fashions from this era could you be taking inspiration from? Well, a few marked staples that I see over and over again are cropped, slim trousers (not skinny jeans. Trousers.), pencil skirted dresses and separates, shift dresses and jumpers, mod-printed blouses, and tweed suits. Since the 60s was the era of the baby-boomer's teen years, youthful styles were all the rage. The hems of skirts started creeping higher and higher, school-girlish styles like pretty white blouses under sophisticated jumpers or pleated skirts were popular; and bold, crazy color combos like pink & purple, blue & coral red, and yellow & purple were worn. If the garment wasn't fit-and-flair, it had a shape of it's own, whether it was triangular, rectangular, or, horror of horrors, circular. You're welcome for that delightful image.

I think that the best way to implement 60s fashion into your holiday style is to think laid-back sophisticate: structured crops with a loose, long sweater. A tailored, tweed skirt with a casual turtle-neck. And don't forget the color! As you can tell from the above images, the 60s did not lack in color contrast. You could go a bit crazy this holiday season by trying out different combos like rust-red with a bright green, or black and green... Or if you are of a more subtle fashion-sense, try pairing a bright with a neutral like the image second-to-last.

PRESENT DAY

In the outfit on the left, I have created an ensemble that illustrates what I suggested above: structured crops paired with a looser sweater (find this one at Croatia Vintage!). By adding in some holiday bling (care of Chronically Vintage), and a comfy pair of loafers, you will be all set for gathering around the Christmas tree to open presents, feast with the family, or whatever your holiday traditions might be.

On the right I have played a little with color & silhouette contrast. By pairing a predominant color, like rust red, with hints of bright green here and there (find the adorable green bracelet here!), you can quite subtly pull of the novel, quirky color stories of the 60s while not going completely all-out. Also, don't be afraid of wearing things you wouldn't normally think go together, like a long cardigan with a pencil skirt (find this authentic 60s skirt at Croatia Vintage!). The 60s were all about ditching the old and bringing in the new by trying out novel silhouettes and styles, so be bold and daring with pairing different items together. But don't forget class! Sometimes less is more, and sticking with what you already know to look good on you is a good thing. In fact, laying the foundation of your outfit on those pointers will help in taking a leap with your wardrobe to something new and bold.

HOW WE WORE IT

Sweater: Hand-me-down from Mom // Skirt: Land's End

Shoes: Hand-me-down from Mom // Headband c/o Lilla Rose

Jessica illustrates the sophisticated academic style of the 60s by pairing a sweet plaid, pleated skirt with a boxy, light-weight sweater. The sweater has gold sparkles woven into the fabric, making for a perfect holiday garment. Jessica gave her hair some volume with a small beehive, and crowned her head with a classy pearl headband.

Sweater: Thrifted // Skirt: Garage Sale (Vintage)

Shoes: Hand-me-down from Jessica // Brooch: Gift from Grandma (Vintage 1960s)

Brigid looks quite fabulous in her conservative 60's outfit. The mint green cozy sweater paired with her glowing brooch makes for the perfect holiday pairing, and what screams holiday more than plaid?
By slipping on a pair of low-heeled mary-janes, Brigid is set and ready to go for any holiday gathering.

Sweater: thredUP, Apt. 9 // Skirt: Thrifted, Chadwicks // Shoes: thredUP, Ann Taylor

I decided to dress-up a little by pairing a christmas plaid pencil skirt with a be-glammed sweater. Like I said above, Pencils skirts were a staple of any 1960s lady. Also, by pairing knee-highs with a just-at-the-knee skirt, you can pull off a school-girl look that is very 60s. Matching little things like sweaters to socks and jewelry to shoes can also add little touches of vintage that you normally might overlook.

Now for some fun Christmas facts from this crazy, fashion-forward era:

• A Charlie Brown Christmas aired on TV for the first time in 1965, and became a staple broadcast for every following year (link)
• Apollo 8, the second human spaceflight mission of the US Apollo Space Program was launched December 21st, 1968 (link)

That's all for now friends! Jessica will be sharing all about beauty & hair from the eras we have covered this week, tomorrow, so stay tuned for that!

Do you like the fashions of the 60s?

xo,

-Charlotte

CREDITS // Author: Charlotte Boyer; Photography: Charlotte & Brigid Boyer; Photos edited with VSCO Presets; All outsourced images linked accordingly